Champions Cup looms large as Atlético Ottawa navigates transfer interest, squad building

It’s been less than a week since Atlético Ottawa hoisted the North Star Cup in spectacular fashion. But from the moment they put hands on their trophy, a clock started counting down for an off-season unlike any other for head coach Diego Mejía and his players: they’ve qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Having already shown their quality in the CPL, Mejía said he’s eager to showcase his side as they prepare for a draw that could see them play Mexican giants or the best of Major League Soccer. Their stage couldn’t be bigger, especially with players like Lionel Messi on the docket of potential opponents.

“I want to show the continent the level of these players, the level of the teams in the CPL. So, I am pretty excited to have this opportunity,” said Mejía.

But the club has a lot to sort out in the next few weeks: both Cavalry FC and Forge FC began training in early January for their Champions Cup runs, giving Atlético Ottawa theoretically only eight weeks between now and the start of their camp.

There are a lot of questions to answer.

The first, of course, involves Mejía himself. The Mexican coach revolutionized Atlético Ottawa since being hired in January, guiding his side to a flurry of records and silverware. Players excelled in his possession-based, front-footed system, with the club placing trust in youth and veterans alike. They remained undefeated at TD Place all year. And they brought home the ultimate prize in the North Star Cup. So, it’s of note that Mejía isn’t guaranteed for 2026 as he has an option on his deal, meaning the club’s first order of business should be to confirm he’s back, although Mejía’s already talking like it’s a done deal. 

It’s also important to realize that it’ll be a very different club that prepares for continental competition. Sam Salter, who won three personal awards, not to mention set a CPL record for 19 goals scored in league play, is off to Sweden’s GAIS in January. Loan players like David Rodríguez, who was named Most Valuable Player in the CPL Final thanks to his ‘icicle kick,’ will return to their parent clubs. And old hands like Alberto Zapater are hanging up his boots, his last act as a professional footballer being that of a winner.

The good news is Atlético Ottawa has a strong core. Manny Aparicio remains under contract as the engine in Mejía’s high energy system. At 26-years old, it feels like Ballou Tabla is hitting the peak of his powers, having potted 11 goals in league play. And young players like Loïc Cloutier, Gabriel Antinoro, Noah Abatneh and Sergei Kozlovskiy are all under club control for at least another year.

Keeping those young players, however, won’t be an easy task as their success continues to garner attention from higher levels. Sources tell OneSoccer that Abatneh’s season, which included nominations for Defender of the Year and Best Canadian U-21 Player, has earned interest from MLS sides Atlanta United FC and CF Montréal. Overseas, League Two’s Salford City FC are also eyeing the young centre-back. Antinoro’s also impressed as one of Mejía’s wing-backs, earning an expression of interest from Toronto FC. And sources noted Kozlovskiy, who played 1,556 minutes as a 17-year old, has admirers in MLS and Europe as he represents Canada for the U-17 World Cup.

There’s no guarantee that the club will sell any of the above before Champions Cup but they’ve shown a willingness to move on young talent before. Matteo de Brienne’s transfer to GAIS in January stands as a monument to Atlético Ottawa’s intentions: they want to compete in the CPL and develop talent, a huge organizational shift compared to where they were two years ago.

“They’ve shown now that they can play here in CPL. We try to develop these players to try and play in another league, to try and play at another level. This is our objective and this is one of my goals this season,” Mejía said in September.

“I want to try and improve Sergei to play in another league. I want to improve Sam Salter. For me, the most important thing is to help them play at another level. I think that we go in a good way and I think that we will have good surprises at the end of the season with these players.”

There’s also a matter, between confirming their coach and managing transfer interest, in re-signing key veterans. Goalkeeper Nathan Ingham, 32, is out of contract. Aboubacar Sissoko and Kevin dos Santos also need new deals. And Amer Didić, who missed most of this season with a fractured leg, will once again have to consider his football career.

Who will be re-signed? Who will walk? Who will be sold? These are just some of the questions piling up for Atlético Ottawa as they prepare for continental football for the first time in club history. It’s a reward for an excellent 2025 season.

And the work for next year is already underway.